What do you guys use on your shoes/boots?

[Cyber Lip]

Would you recommend this?

https://www.obenaufs.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=17&product_id=53

It has a high silicone content, but says it won't damage leather fibers

 

[andy b.]

You're already at the site of the best leather care product in the world. Just get the Heavy Duty LP and you're set. lol That is all I use on anything I have made of leather.

Andy B.

 

[OneEyeMan]

I use the LP.
I remember reading something somewhere that said silicone isn't good for leather.
I could be wrong though.
YMMV
Lenny

 

[rocketeer]

The original post title
"What do you guys use on your shoes/boots?"
What do you wish to know? Keep em shiny or restore an old pair?
Anyway I use good old fashioned Cherry Blossom shoe polish to keep new boots and shoes in tip top condition. OK I am boasting a bit but this is usually for expensive smooth leather shoes not any far east produced stuff. Example being Loakes, Made in England £145 boots.
If like me you tend to have sweaty feet(too much information? haha) I will possibly get about 8 years out of these simply by wiping and polishing with reasonable wear, mainly for evenings out and good general wear. Have an old pair as well, these I rode my motorcycle, wore to work, they do tend to get a bit abused now as the leather is starting to crack at some crease points.
If you are talking about second hand boots and shoes that have dried out a bit, others will have a better perspective on treating these. I have found though that anything not worn for many years will tend to be a bit to dry to form to your feet even with a good does of leather treatments such as Ko Cho Line.
Cheers, Johnny T

 

[Carlos840]

I use mink oil, sparingly, probably twice a year or so. I do have quite a few pair of boots and never wear he same pair two days in a row.

I would not use a spray like the one you posted, in my experience they don't really work and don't prevent the leather from drying.

 

[Cyber Lip]

I saw the "Heavy Duty LP" but since it's a heavy oil type product, I'm wondering what it would do to the white stitching on my boots, which look like this:

 

[IXL]

Another Lounge member once sent me a PM detailing why it isn't a real groovy idea to use silicone on leathers, or most anything else, for that matter, and while I don't remember all the reasons, it did all make sense. I started using Filson Boot Oil and have had no regrets.

 

[andy b.]

The Obenauf's LP (and their leather oil) are both basically clear. The LP is a clear grease-type substance and the leather oil is a clear very thick oil. I never saw it affect the color of thread.

If that is an actual photo of your boots, either the LP or oil (or almost any leather conditioner) will darken that color when you first put the product on the leather. It has been my experience that after wearing the boots (or jacket for that matter) that the leather will lighten back up. It may take a few weeks of wear to lighten. If you really soaked the boots and kept oiling them every week for months, the leather would probably darken considerably, but that much oil would be bad for the leather.

Andy B.

 

[winterland1]

I had asked this same question a week ago. Here are some more opinions.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?74958-Conditioning-polishing-White-s-Boots
Also my recent experience doing my White's Semi-Dress boots.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?17198-White-s-Semi-dress-Boots&p=1718182#post1718182

 

[FredS]

Only the very best of the very best since 1897...Rapide...A product range of leather care creams, oils and waxes made in the Netherlands. Contains no useless and harmful ingredients.
http://www.rapide-bv.nl/shop/leder-onderhoud.html
I use the Rapide Leathercream for my boots and leather jackets. Comes in clear, black and brown. Never sticky. Smells lovely too...like almonds. Preserves, conditions and nourishes and keeps leather supple.
https://www.google.nl/search?q=rapi...OJ0AWu2IGYAw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1882&bih=903


Click to see full resolution image.

 

[Dumpster Diver]

I gave up on Polishing, and Just have an old pair of Canadian Combat boots from the 70s, They are Just an indestructable pair of Sh*t Kickers, Caked in mud, and Hang outside all year round, I dont even tie them up anymore. Nothing but Heavy slabs of Cow-hide.

You wanna know the REAL secret to keeping boots broken in and nice...Swamp water and mud, My boots grew up down on the farm on a cows back, covered in slop..only makes sense to keep them like that.

 

[tommyK]

I use mink oil, sparingly, probably twice a year or so. I do have quite a few pair of boots and never wear he same pair two days in a row.

I would not use a spray like the one you posted, in my experience they don't really work and don't prevent the leather from drying.

+1 especially shoes with contrasting or light stitching

 

[pak]

My multiple pair of White's get beeswax melted into the leather with a hair dryer. Takes awhile but lays down a good base for any additional treatment.

 

[reeks1]

Saphir products are the best, afaik. All natural. Makes them gleam.

 

[Highwaymanman]

Obenauf's LP or Obenauf's oil are both beautiful treatments. I don't bother with the waterproofing spray apart from on roughout boots since you don't use the first two on those.

 

[frussell]

I was always told by saddlemakers and other leatherworkers to avoid silicone, as it can be hard to strip off, and can sometimes prevent future leather dressings from penetrating properly. Likewise any of the Lexol offerings that leave a shiny, shellac-like finish, for the same reason. I like products with rendered animal fat and beeswax, like R.M. Williams Saddle Dressing. Been using it for at least 20 years, and it never has damaged or over-penetrated any leather item I've put it on. Not cheap, and not as easy to find as it was 10 years ago, but worth the trouble. Big Bend Saddlery has it for sale. Frank.

 

[andy b.]

Obenauf's LP or Obenauf's oil are both beautiful treatments. I don't bother with the waterproofing spray apart from on roughout boots since you don't use the first two on those.

I use LP on White's roughout boots. If you put it on 1/8" thick it will make a mess, but if you work it in using light coats it will lessen the knap somewhat, but the boots still look like suede.

Andy B.

 

[pak]

Try heating the applied LP with a hair dryer and it should soak right into the leather.

 

[Richard Warren]

Sno seal on field boots, kiwi on dress boots.

 

[John Galt]

For Whites and other work boots, since I was logging as a young man, it's always been Hubards shoe grease (not oil) just like my great grandfather used. It is a beeswax/oil product.

"Faint hat never won fair lady."